Spare a thought for stressed-out workers

MUCH has been said about work-related stress, which is felt in almost all workplaces.

After talking to people and listening to their problems, I realised this is something the top management/bosses are not aware of. I wonder how many bosses bother or know what and how their employees are doing.

There seems to be lots of overworked, physically burnt-out and mentally exhausted people going home from work daily. It also looks like all the bosses want is to bring in the profits by working their employees harder.

Do they care that their employees are spending so much time working that they have no family life? Some resort to excessive smoking, drinking and leading a totally unhealthy lifestyle, going home very late at night and leaving for work very early in the morning to the same daily grind.

Everyone knows this is a very competitive world and some people are truly trying their best.

Meeting the demands (at all hours) of nasty clients and being pushed by bosses in the office are hardly anyone’s idea of work. But to put food on the table, one must take in all this madness.

Some are lucky to have someone to listen to their problems, but some keep to themselves and end up going into depression or developing some health-related issues. Stress, we have been told, is one of the silent killers.

If you are a boss, please do not push people too far. It’s not right. Take a look at the Japanese work culture; we don’t want that to happen here.

There are people who are extremely loyal to their company but are being driven to quit the job they love because of work-related stress. It would surely be the com

rc pany’s loss if these people leave.

I strongly believe this situation can be avoided if the management comes up with some kind of balance. There are plenty of literature on this subject.

Also, clients must not be allowed to think they own people just because they pay for their service. They shouldn’t issue threats that others are just waiting to do business with them. That’s not ethical.

I get it that business means making profits, but we are all fellow human beings and there must be better and more constructive ways to go about it. Some companies really care for their staff and are doing very well too. At the end of the day, what we all want is to make an honest living and not harm others (there are some people in offices who mentally abuse others too, but this is another problem).

I do feel sorry for these unfortunate people and must speak out for them. Thankfully, I had a very happy and fulfilling working life because I had great bosses.

Isn’t it pleasant to see your employees coming to work with happy faces and ready to give their best? Please take a bit of time to ponder, listen, give moral support and make some changes if needed. People who are appreciated are motivated and will be an asset to the company as it progresses to a higher level.